matt_splat
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I heard a rumor that first may have loaned some drivers from BOS to CT Plus to help them out does any one know if this is true?
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Bristol Metrobus
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-Colly405-
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Had 4 journeys on the m1 today.
On one journey:
- We were 3 minutes early from Great Stoke - Patchway Brook, including the Willow Brook timing point. The driver then waited time at Aztec West (not a timing point!)...
- It's been years since I've had a driver accelerate so fast, and leave it so late to start braking for stops. Not smooth at all.
- We stopped in the queue for the traffic lights in the outside lane at Patchway Fire Station, despite me ringing the bell to alight and standing by the back door. When I went up to him and said I'd rung the bell to alight, he said that he only stopped at metrobus stops, and it wasn't one - so I explained that it was! - he then let me off at the next (non-metrobus) stop (on the grass as the rear door wasn't by paving).
Surely basic training is where to stop (and how to drive smoothly and keep to time)?
PS loving the extremely Bristolian accent from the pre-recorded announcements woman (when they work!).
On one journey:
- We were 3 minutes early from Great Stoke - Patchway Brook, including the Willow Brook timing point. The driver then waited time at Aztec West (not a timing point!)...
- It's been years since I've had a driver accelerate so fast, and leave it so late to start braking for stops. Not smooth at all.
- We stopped in the queue for the traffic lights in the outside lane at Patchway Fire Station, despite me ringing the bell to alight and standing by the back door. When I went up to him and said I'd rung the bell to alight, he said that he only stopped at metrobus stops, and it wasn't one - so I explained that it was! - he then let me off at the next (non-metrobus) stop (on the grass as the rear door wasn't by paving).
Surely basic training is where to stop (and how to drive smoothly and keep to time)?
PS loving the extremely Bristolian accent from the pre-recorded announcements woman (when they work!).
This is what Iv been told.
No this is not true.
ATW158Xpress
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Made my first trip on the M1 today from Cabot Circus to Cribbs Causeway. I caught the 15:25 bus as 2 M1 buses pulled in as the one in front is 10 mins late. So I got on the back bus which lucky I got a front row seat. One thing to note is not all passengers are aware of that Metrobuses only stop at Metrobus stops only and one passenger did try to attempt to board by pulling their arm out at a non Metrobus stop in Bradley Stoke and the driver drove pass. Overall avarage passenger loadings on my bus were under 10 for this leg of the journey.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
It may be overkill though I have seen some decent loads to UWE from town (not surprisingly).
It is early days but every 10 mins at night does look challenging.
ATW158Xpress
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Just made a return trip only far as UWE arriving at 17:30 and 20-30 students boarded here. Yes a 20 min frequency is more then plenty after 1900 in the evening.
freetoview33
Established Member
It would have worked better with only every 20 mins between U.W.E and Cribbs in the evening
Class 33
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People putting their hands out to board at non MetroBus bus stops happened a couple of times on my first journey on it on Sunday. Fortunately for them the driver stopped for them and the other member of staff onboard explained that it was not a MetroBus bus stop, but they'd let them on today. But people will need to learn that MetroBus does not stop at all the normal bus stops along the routes they take! And they need to find out/locate where their nearest MetroBus stops are. Good on that driver on the service you were on for just driving past.
Marcus Fryer
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The Webbs Wood stops can be confusing for those unused to bus travel. The southbound stop is north of the roundabout and is used also by the T1, 3B and 73. On the opposite side of the road there is a stop which is served by northbound T1, 73 and 3Bs, but NOT the m1. The northbound m1 stop is hidden away south of the roundabout and is NOT served by the 73 and 3B. So for a trip north, which for most destinations might be convenient by either a m1, T1 or 73, you have to make a choice of which stop you use and hope the next bus that comes along will one that stops there! I would have placed the northbound metrobus stop north of the roundabout, but I'm sure there must be a logical reason for putting it on the south side?
-Colly405-
Member
Is the Southbound stop still physically two stops about 5 yards apart, a traditional flagged stop and then *immediately* the metrobus stop?
Marcus Fryer
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The old bus stop flag is still there, but as the iPoint and displays in the shelter show details for all routes I think you could say the stop has officially moved a few yards.
I don't think it's a big deal as only locals will use these stops. The M1 only stops at designated stops, whereas the T1 will probably stop at all stops, northbound that will mean both sides of the roundabout. I wouldn't say the northbound M1 stop is hidden away, after all it has an well lit bus shelter and iPoint, the northbound 73/3B stop only has a stop sign.
The Metrobus stops are staggered at this part of the route for obvious traffic reasons. The roads are too narrow (despite there being plenty of grass areas to the side where the Tram line was once planned) for 2 buses to be stopped side by side, no other traffic could pass. Bus stop turnout's were dismissed as not required as the buses would not be stationary for too long, but that was probably assuming M1 only and not the additional T1 (pay onboard with longer dwell times) as well.
I drove behind a southbound M1 last night at about 9pm, there didn't appear to be any passengers on board, the driver was doing 20mph in a 40mph zone, no doubt trying to keep to the timetable and not run early. In my opinion a frequency of every 30 mins between U.W.E and Cribbs after 8pm would suffice.
Marcus Fryer
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I meant stop on the north side of the roundabout instead of the south side. I agree, the m1 shouldn't stop on both sides. The south side stop is very close to Great Meadow anyway. My point was you can't see the northbound stop from the southbound one, whereas the 73 and T1 stop more or less opposite, and very visible to passengers catching an m1 into town, who might therefore assume that was where northbound buses would stop.
I take your point that the stops can't be opposite each other, and need to be staggered because of the road layout. It would have been better to have a separate bus lane approaching the north side of the roundabout for southbound buses. However, we're now stuck with the present arrangement. The irony is that there is a bus lane south of Great Meadow which is probably much longer than necessary - does traffic really tail back that far, even in the peaks? Perhaps the resources used for that would have been better employed building two short bus lanes at Webbs Wood and Great Meadow southbound metrobus stops.
-Colly405-
Member
The south side stop (northbound) is very close to Great Meadow *southbound*.
Yes. Very yes. Often back beyond Great Meadow, sometimes beyond Webbs Wood.
Class 33
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There was a short report about Metrobus last week on ITV News West Country. Mentioning that many people have mentioned that it's all well and good about these new Metrobus services, but they don't run through the areas they live! James Freeman mentioned that within 18 months there should be more Metrobus services up and running. Would be surprised if so, but we'll see.
Anyone got any good idea for new Metrobus services?
Anyone got any good idea for new Metrobus services?
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
I know - I live near Radstock and I’m fuming
Of course, the new maps show the missing link from Long Ashton P&R to Hengrove via Highridge so that will come as well as the BPW link.
I’d sooner see the X8 Nailsea to Bristol become a Metrobus route and see it use the Ashton Vale/Ave infrastructure as a quick addition.
Perhaps also Kingswood - Emerson’s - Southmead - call it the M18??
Yes, depends what is meant by more Metrobus services. More services under the Metrobus banner is much easier than more services with dedicated facilities (without all these people are now suggesting they wont object if it's suggested that road space is scarified for bus lanes in there areas).I know - I live near Radstock and I’m fuming
Of course, the new maps show the missing link from Long Ashton P&R to Hengrove via Highridge so that will come as well as the BPW link.
I’d sooner see the X8 Nailsea to Bristol become a Metrobus route and see it use the Ashton Vale/Ave infrastructure as a quick addition.
Perhaps also Kingswood - Emerson’s - Southmead - call it the M18??
I'd imagine that, for most journeys, the existing X8 route is quicker! And no need for guided buses. However m8 does sound like a nice number for advertisers! (Out for the night with my m8!)
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Scarified? You roughing it?
Sending the X8 was more about service reliability. After all, the m2 is no quicker than the 903
freetoview33
Established Member
I think the next metrobus services will be in no particular order:
1) Long Ashton - Hengrove Park
2) City Centre - Thornbury (Basically a slightly upgraded T1! With a few improvements between Aztec West and Thornbury)
3) Bristol Parkway - Emersons Green (Will be extended to Cribbs once the extension is up and running)
4) Bristol Bus Station - Weston-super-Mare
5) Hengrove Park - Cribbs Causeway (Via Filton)
Then the next batch will be dependent on the A4 - A37 link.
1) Long Ashton - Hengrove Park
2) City Centre - Thornbury (Basically a slightly upgraded T1! With a few improvements between Aztec West and Thornbury)
3) Bristol Parkway - Emersons Green (Will be extended to Cribbs once the extension is up and running)
4) Bristol Bus Station - Weston-super-Mare
5) Hengrove Park - Cribbs Causeway (Via Filton)
Then the next batch will be dependent on the A4 - A37 link.
Class 33
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Suggestions 1-4 could be possible yes. But suggestion 5 of another Hengrove Park-Cribbs Causeway service. When there's already the M1 Metrobus and the 75 & 76. Not sure about that. I presume when you say via Filton, it would run via Gloucester Road the same as the 75? And which route do you think it would take between Hengrove Park and Centre?
freetoview33
Established Member
The metrobus extension from U.W.E - Parkway - Filton Airfield - Cribbs Causeway
Class 33
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Hmmm... yet another service between Centre and UWE. Some would agree that there's more than enough(including overall frequency) services between UWE and Centre now. Though the alternate route between UWE and Cribbs Causeway sounds OK.
But what about the route this particular service could take between Hengrove and Centre? A similiar route as the M1 down through Knowle West, Bedminster and Redcliffe?
freetoview33
Established Member
I'd imagine the current M1 will be cut to 20 mins. Then it run the same route from U.W.E to Hengrove. That's why I was amazed the current M1 is every 10 mins!
wiltshirebloke
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Class 33
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I'd like to see some new Metrobus services introduced that serve areas of Bristol that are currently poorly served by bus services, or areas where the only services are ones that go such a long way round. For instance Redland. Between Redland and Broadmead the 9 and 72 go such a long twisty turny way round, which takes even longer when there is a lot of traffic about. There could be a new cross-city Metrobus service that runs non-stop between Lewins Mead and Redland Station via Cheltenham Road and Zetland Road. Then from there continues up Redland Road and onto Coldharbour Road and Kellaway Avenue, with limited stops along these roads. Then from Kellaway Avenue..... not sure! But just an idea of a new service that I'd like to see.
The original idea of Metrobus was that it's high frequency with traffic priority available, Redland has always struggled as an area to serve both because of the local roads and the percentage of bus users. Plus it has a rail service. Given the, reduced, levels of service recently I cant see it getting new services in the near future.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Can't help but agree with you. Doesn't really fit the premise for metrobus.
I know there's a parallel rail line but I might have thought Keynsham to Bristol might be another corridor that they could upgrade relatively easily. You have a significant amount of existing Bath Road bus lane. There are some bottlenecks to sort out - the junction with West Town Lane, inbound through Briz village (past the Fame school), Bath Hill (outbound - not certain how you solve that), and worst by the Paintworks where I got stuck on Monday morning. Perhaps they should have got some s106 money from the developers of Somerdale and used it to improve bus priority to/from Keynsham as a pre-emptive measure rather than wasting it on the 636, carting fresh air around. Just a thought.
I can imagine the council meeting!
We have some s106 money to spend, do we spend it to improve the main service (run by the nasty big bus company) for commuters, spend it on the rail service (it should be enough to get one extra train stopping every other week) or spend it on a service that has lots of old people using it that we can use for a photo op and goes near to somebody who writes me letters every two days demanding a better bus service just in case they have to use it one day!
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